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A. M. SMITH.

Match Safe.

Patented Jany 17, 1860.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALBERT M. SMITH, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

POCKET MATCH-SAFE.

Specification of Letters Patent N 0. 26,865, dated January 17, 1 860.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT M. SMITH, of the city of New York, State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement on a Portable or Pocket Match-Safe; and I do declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the construction and operation of the same, as shown in the annexed drawings, making a part of this specification, of which Figures 1, and 2, are descriptive transverse sections, Figs. 3, and 4, perspective views, Figs. 5, and 6, sectional views.

The nature of my invention consists in the so constructing a safe for carrying matches in the pocket, that the matches will fall down by their own weight one at a time to the bottom of the safe so that one at a time can be extracted from it and at the same time, while being extracted can be brought against or in contact with a rough surface so as to ignite it.

To enable others skilled in the art, to make and use my invention, I will proceed to describe its construction and operation.

I make a box with space enough in thickness on the inside for one row of matches so that when placed in it horizontally one above the other, they will fall down by their own weight one at a time, to the bottom of the box. In each end of the two parts of the box, so as to come at each end of the matches, are pieces or projections, as at a, a, a, 64, Figs. 1, and 2, for the ends of the matches to bear against, so that they will slide down smooth. At the bottom there are other projections as at Z) Z) for the matches to rest and slide on. I make a rough surface to ignite the matches on, and place it on either side of the hole the match is to pass out at, the bottom, or top, or in any way equivalent, so that it shall be in close proximity to it, as at c, c, 0, Figs. 1, 3, and 4, and so that when the match is being drawn out, it can be brought against or in contact with it, so as to ignite it. I make a catch or slide as at Fig. 5 so that one part of it projects up as at cl, and so as to come up back of the end of the match as at cl Fig. l, the other part of it down as at c Fig. 5, and so that it will come upon the outside of the box as at e, e, 6, Figs. 1, 3, and 4. It is made between the projections as at f, Fig. 5, so that it will slide on a piece, or rod as at Fig. 6. On this rod I place a spring made of metal, rubber, or its equivalent, but generally spiral, to throw back the catch, and keep it in its place. These are put together and placed in the cavity at the bottom of the box, as at g, Fig. 1, and there fastened, for the purpose of pushing the match out as at 7L Fig. 3, and operating it as desired. I make a cover as at 2' Fig. 4, which is hung at the end as at f Figs. 3, and 4, so that it can be closed down upon the safe.

The safe or box is filled with matches, by putting them in at the top of it as at la Fig. 4, they dropping down and laying one above the other as at L Fig. 1. A hole is made as at m, m, Figs. 3 and 4, where the matches can be taken out when wanted, without opening the safe, and so that they will not come out while .in the pocket. This is done by turning in the edges or compressing the sides of the safe, at this point, as at m m, Figs. 1 and 2, making the hole smaller than the match and the sides of the safe so that they will spring out by pressing the end of the match against these edges, from the inside, making the hole large enough for the match to pass out. But if the sides are made as is sometimes the case necessary, of stiff heavy material, it is done by making the hole large enough to let the match pass out, and closed sufficient to keep it in, by placing in it a winding shaped spring as at a, Fig. 5, to one or both sldes of the safe as is necessary, as at 0 Fig. 1, so that by pressing the end of the match against this it springs down enough to let the match pass instead of the sides of the safe. An arrangement for cutting oil the end of the cigar, is attached by placing and fastening to the end of the cover of the safe, a pointed knife as at p Fig. 4, and making a hole in the side of the safe as at r Fig. 2 to put the end of the cigar in, which being placed as at r Fig. 4 in it, by shutting down the cover brings the knife in contact with it, so that it cuts it off leaving the cover closed as at Fig. 3. When a match is wanted, by placing the finger on the catch 6 Fig. 3 and shoving it forward pushes a match partly out of the safe as at h, then by taking hold of it and pressing up against the rough surface c and drawing it quickly out, brings it in contact with it so as to ignite it.

I do not claim making or constructing a box or safe for holding matches in to be carried in the pocket, so that one match at a time can be extracted from it without g the safe.

opening the safe, or so that the match can I be ignited by pushing it'out of the safe, or so that the end of the cigars can be cut off in it but I do claim- 1. The so constructing a portable or pocket match safe for holding matchesin to be carried in the pocket, that the matches Will fall down by their own Weight, into a position contiguous to the hole or place they are to pass out at, whereby one at a time can be extracted from it, Without opening 2. I claim the arrangement in combination, for pushing the end of the match out of the sait'e sufficient to take hold of.

3. I claim so constructing it, and arranging a rough surface in such close proximity to the hole, or place in the safe the match is to pass out at, that after the match has been pushed partly out by taking hold of it With the fingers, and drawing it completely out, it can at the same time be brought against the rough surface in the ordinary manner matches usually are to ignite them so as to ignite it.

4. I claim the construction and arrangement for keeping the matches from coming out of the safe While being carried .in the pocket substantially as herein described.

ALBERT M. SMITH.

Witnesses: Y

J. A. OVINGTON, S. HOSFORD. 

